iPhone 16 Pro — Motherboard failure. Casual use only. Goodwill repair denied. Is this acceptable?

Hi, you might want to follow up with Apple Support on the 2 year warranty in the EU. Apple Authorized Service Providers are less likely to grant a curtesy repair. If the 2 year EU warranty doesn’t workout try following up directly with Apple. A 90 day warranty is pretty standard in the repair industry, regardless of the original price or subsequent repair price.

I can’t comment on your friend’s situation as I have no knowledge of the specific circumstances. However, I’ve considerable experience with granting exceptions for repairs. I’m retired now but I was an Apple Retail Store manager and during my tenure I granted exceptions. In my experience, 4 months out of warranty is a stretch. The circumstances would need to be very compelling. You might do better in an actual Apple Store and requesting a discounted repair rather than a free courtesy repair.

I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your warranty claim.

Do I read well that you are within EU?

If so, the below applies to your consumer rights.

Standard minimum warranty is 24 months.

"It was diagnosed by an Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP), with no signs of accidental damage, liquid damage, or any misuse whatsoever."

That should be a strong sign of handling in good faith on your behalf.

Apple's 12 Month warranty is basically void as the country's law supersedes.

veselin195 wrote:

Sorry, just saw the comment now. The nearest Apple Store around me is in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is called iSTYLE | Apple Premium Partner | The Mall.

That is an Apple reseller, not an Apple Store. Apple Stores are owned and operated by Apple.

Resellers are not going to have the flexibility to work outside of the warranty like corporate owned Apple Stores are.

<< Thanks for your comment, but a €1,100+ iPhone 16 Pro, failing completely at 16 months with no misuse, no scratches, no drops and no liquid damage... >>

I get that.

<<I think expecting some goodwill consideration is pretty reasonable. >>

I think you are delusional.

Consumer products, their warranties, and their extended warranties work in a predictable way.

Warrant-able implies, but does not guarantee, High Quality:

Consumer product makers build high quality products. You can tell because the manufacturer is willing to stand by their products and repair or replace them (but only for defects in materials or workmanship) at manufacturers expense for a stated warranty period.

For Apple Macs in most countries, that period is one year. That is the total responsibility Apple or any manufacturer has to you under law. Assumptions about additional responsibility of Apple or any other consumer product-maker's products working longer or maintaining their original failure-free status longer than the warranty period are not accurate. The amount you paid for the product has no bearing on this. The rules are the same for a car costing US$20,000 or more.

Complex Electro-mechanical devices fail at random, arbitrary, and capricious times.

The most frequent reason for most failures is 'just because'.

Your specific failure is most likely caused by an advanced scientific principle called ...

... 'bad luck'.

--------

If you want a really substantial lesson how this this works (or more precisely how this stops working) own an older used automobile.

veselin195 wrote:

Thanks for your comment, but a €1,100+ iPhone 16 Pro, failing completely at 16 months with no misuse, no scratches, no drops and no liquid damage... I think expecting some goodwill consideration is pretty reasonable. I'm not asking for a free phone, just a fair outcome for what looks like a manufacturing defect.

All technological devices can fail for no apparent reason. The likelihood of that failure rises as the device ages. That's why phone manufacturers don't offer lifetime warranties for free. How carefully you treated the phone, how little you used it, simply don't enter into this calculation. Do I feel for you? Absolutely. Do I think what you're asking is reasonable? No.

And, the bottom line is that we can discuss this here for days. It won't change anything. We are not Apple.

Hi, I understand what you’re saying and can appreciate that the customer experience isn’t what you expected for a device you paid a lot for. I get it.

So, in your scenarios, warranties are just guidelines. If it’s 4 months out of warranty fix it, 8 months fix it, 4 years fix it, or when does a warranty end? A warranty having a stated period when it ends is normal. A few days, maybe a week, or on rare occasions a month. But a good will exception after 4 months seems a stretch. Why not 5 months, 6 months or a year after warranty expired?

No offense, but 4 months seems unreasonable to me. What issues can you document with Apple Support that you have a repair ticket number for? Sorry, but four months late is just not an example of an exception, in my experience. Sorry.

Thank you for replying with your concerns, veselin195. 😉

Here at the Apple Support Community, we are volunteers (thoughtful Apple users) who share knowledge in an effort to help others, such as yourself.

We don’t have the power to look into accounts, make changes, authorize repairs or offer discounts to fit your needs.

You had the opportunity to purchase AppleCare when you purchased your iPhone.

Apple has authorized service that requires payment. That is your choice if you want a resolution.

Thanks again for sharing your concerns with us. Your feedback is appreciated. 👍🏼

All the best! 👋🏼😉

Aniii678 wrote:

Can u provide me your diagnostic report @veselin195’s Profile - Apple Community

Hello~ No…we can’t. This is a forum made up of fellow users like yourself. You can make an appointment with Apple and have your device checked out…

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Find Locations

~Katana-San~

I had same issue a little over 2 years. They must have issue with this. It’s totally reasonable that you would try and get a good faith accommodation from apple. They must be aware of the logic board issues. Having to buy a phone over $1000. to work two years is insane and apple should’ve compensated and must be very aware of issue .

Where is your nearest Apple Store?

My daughter 16 pro max did the same thing February was the one year mark. Apple wants 600 the fix the mother board with no damage to the phone itself and I’m STILL paying on the phone .

Can u provide me your diagnostic report @veselin195’s Profile - Apple Community

Hello~ This makes an excellent reason to purchase an AppleCare plan… things happen to electronic devices…

https://www.apple.com/applecare/?filter=watch

You will have to continue working with Apple as they have the final say in these matters.

Also please note that polling is not allowed here in these forums.

~Katana-San~

My opinion......

A week or two.....maybe a huge stretch to 3 or 4 weeks......and you might have a case. 4 months.....no way.

Have to wonder though......if the part failed at 6 months......would you be asking the same questions?